> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rapidcert.co.nz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Evaluations
> How to complete and submit evaluations in RapidCert
# Evaluations
Evaluations are the core of the RapidCert platform. An evaluation is a structured questionnaire that assesses your company's compliance with specific requirements set by your client.
## Accreditation and certification
The terms "accreditation" and "certification" are used interchangeably in RapidCert. Your dashboard refers to "accreditations", while the outcome of a successful evaluation is a "certification". They refer to the same process.
## Accreditation slots
Each accreditation card represents an **accreditation slot** — a specific instance of an evaluation type assigned to your company. Some client groups assign multiple slots of the same type (for example, two Health & Safety slots for different sites or projects). In these cases, a **slot label** is shown on the card to help you identify which slot is which.
You do not set the label yourself; it is assigned by your client group administrator. Once set, it follows the accreditation everywhere it appears — see [Labelled accreditation slots](/guides/contractors/certifications#labelled-accreditation-slots) for the full list of places you will see it.
## Starting an evaluation
Evaluations are managed from your **Dashboard**. Each accreditation card represents an evaluation type available to you.
To start an evaluation, click **Begin Accreditation** on the accreditation card. If payment is required, the payment flow opens first — payment is always taken before the evaluation is created. Once payment is complete (or if no payment is required), the evaluation is created and you can begin answering questions.
For renewals, click **Renew** on the accreditation card. The same payment and setup flow applies.
### Accreditation categories
Some evaluation types ask you to choose an **accreditation category** and, when the category has subcategories, a **subcategory** during setup. These selections describe the type of work your company performs and are recorded against the evaluation.
When you renew an accreditation, your previous category and subcategory are pre-filled. Review the selections and update them before continuing if your work has changed. The recorded category and subcategory also appear on your dashboard and in your evaluation history.
### Copied answers in renewals
When you start a renewal, RapidCert automatically copies eligible answers from your previous approved evaluation into the new one. Text answers, yes/no responses, and selections are pre-filled as in-progress so you can review and update them before submitting. File uploads are not copied and must be re-uploaded.
If answers were copied, a notice appears at the top of the evaluation:
> **Previous answers copied**
> *N* previous answers copied into this renewal. Please review the copied answers and upload any required files again.
Review every copied answer before submitting — requirements may have changed since your last evaluation.
If you do not see an accreditation card for the evaluation you need, contact your client group administrator — they manage which evaluations are available to you.
## Completing questions
Each evaluation is divided into sections containing questions. Questions may ask for text responses, yes/no answers, selections from a list, dates, numbers, or file uploads.
* **Required questions** are marked with an asterisk (\*). You must complete all required questions before submitting.
* **Optional questions** can be skipped but may strengthen your submission.
### Marking questions as answered
After completing a question, tick the **Mark as answered** checkbox to confirm you have finished it. Questions that are not marked as answered will prevent submission, even if they contain a response.
If a question requires a minimum number of file uploads, the **Mark as answered** checkbox is disabled until you have uploaded the required number of files. An inline hint below the checkbox shows how many more files are needed (e.g., "2 more files required (min. 2)").
Questions marked as N/A (not applicable) are automatically considered answered.
### Uploading files
RapidCert checks each file before starting an evaluation upload. An empty file is rejected without being uploaded, and you will see **\[filename] is empty. Choose a file that contains data.** Open the file to confirm it has content, then select it again or choose a different file.
### Improving text responses with AI
The **Improve Text** button appears below text and long-text responses while the question is editable. It is available in Draft evaluations and for questions that have been unlocked for you in Needs Work.
1. Enter your response, then click **Improve Text**
2. Review the original and suggested text
3. Click **Accept Changes** to replace your response, **Keep Original** to discard the suggestion, or **Try Again** to request another suggestion
The suggestion is not applied until you accept it. If your response does not need changing, RapidCert tells you and leaves the original text in place.
**Improve Text** is available only for text and long-text questions that contain between 1 and 5,000 characters. It is unavailable for locked, read-only, submitted, or N/A questions. Each contractor/supplier can request up to 60 improvements in a 10-minute window; if you reach the limit, wait and try again.
### Saving progress
Your progress is saved automatically as you work. You can close the browser and return later — look for the **Response saved** indicator to confirm your work is preserved.
## Directives
Some evaluation templates include directives — commitments or expectations that your organisation must acknowledge before you can submit. These are set by the administering body and may cover topics such as health and safety obligations or terms of service.
When directives are attached to a template:
1. Review the directive content and any attached files or links
2. Click **Accept & Continue** to confirm your acknowledgement
3. The **Submit Evaluation** button becomes available
Your acceptance is timestamped and recorded.
You cannot submit the evaluation until you have accepted the directives.
## Submitting an evaluation
When you are ready to submit:
1. Click **Submit Evaluation**
2. Tick the confirmation checkbox to confirm you have reviewed all your responses
3. Confirm to submit
The system validates your submission. If any issues are found, you will see an error modal listing:
* **Missing Responses** — required questions that have not been answered
* **Insufficient Attachments** — questions that require more document uploads
* **Invalid Responses** — questions with responses that need correction
If required insurance policies are missing or incomplete, a separate insurance validation modal is shown. Each required policy must be at least **pending verification** before you can submit.
Address all issues before submitting again.
You cannot edit your evaluation after submission.
## After submission
### Status tracking
Your evaluation status is shown on the accreditation card on your dashboard:
| Status | Meaning |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Draft | In progress, not yet submitted |
| Submitted | Submitted and awaiting review |
| Pending Review | Queued for assignment to an assessor |
| In Review | Currently being assessed |
| Needs Work | Assessor has requested changes |
| Pending Reassessment | Resubmitted after addressing feedback, awaiting reassessment |
| Approved | Passed — certification issued |
| Rejected | Did not meet requirements (terminal) |
| Withdrawn | Withdrawn before completion |
| Abandoned | Closed without submission |
| Review Request | A score review is in progress |
### What you can see and do in each status
| Status | Questions visible | Can edit |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------ | --------------------------- |
| Draft | All questions | Yes |
| Submitted | All questions | No — with assessor |
| Pending Review | All questions | No — with assessor |
| In Review | All questions | No — with assessor |
| Needs Work | Only questions with actions assigned | Yes — action questions only |
| Pending Reassessment | All questions | No — with assessor |
| Approved | All questions | No — read-only |
| Rejected | All questions | No — read-only |
| Withdrawn | All questions | No — read-only |
| Abandoned | All questions | No — read-only |
| Review Request | All questions | No — with assessor |
When your evaluation is in **Needs Work** status, you only see the questions the assessor has flagged with action items. All other questions are hidden so you can focus on what needs to change. Once the evaluation is approved or in any other status, all questions are visible again.
### Email notifications
You receive email notifications when:
* An assessor requests changes (Needs Work)
* Your evaluation is approved
## Addressing feedback (Needs Work)
If your evaluation requires changes, you receive an **email notification** letting you know that action is required. When you open the evaluation from your dashboard, you will **only see the questions that have actions assigned** — the assessor has flagged these specific questions with action items explaining what to change.
Open the evaluation from your dashboard. Only questions requiring your attention are shown — review each one.
Make the required corrections or additions. This may include updating text, uploading documents, or providing additional information.
Tick **Mark as answered** again on each updated question to signal that you have addressed the feedback.
Click **Resubmit Evaluation**. The same validation checks apply as the initial submission.
Once your evaluation is approved or in any other status, you can view all questions and responses in full — not just those with actions.
Resubmission is only available for evaluations in **Needs Work** status. A **Rejected** evaluation cannot be resubmitted.
## Score reviews
If your evaluation has been assessed and you believe the score does not accurately reflect your submission, you can request a score review.
* A score review is an independent reassessment by a different assessor
* The original assessor is not involved
* The review may be free or require a non-refundable fee, depending on the evaluation type
* The updated result replaces the original score
To request a score review, click **Request Review** on the accreditation card on your dashboard. You must provide a reason for your review request.
If a fee applies, it is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. The review may result in the same, higher, or lower score.
## Evaluation history
Click **Show History** on an accreditation card to view past submissions, download certificates, view assessor feedback, and track certification expiry dates. When recorded, each evaluation's category and subcategory are shown with a **Current**, **In progress**, or **Previous** prefix.
## Next steps
Manage your insurance policies
Track your certifications